In Memoriam—Betty Shabazz

Dr. Betty Shabazz with Carol Brown-Delany’86, the first Malcolm X Scholar, left, and Duane Russell’97, a more recent scholarship recipient, at a Fall 1995 luncheon for Malcolm X Scholars.

Dr. Betty Shabazz, widow of El-Hajj Malik Shabazz (Malcolm X), died June 23 from injuries suffered in a June 1 fire in her home. Columbia University’s relationship with Dr. Shabazz dates from 1983 when the University, together with the City and State of New York, began plans to develop the Audubon Biomedical Science and Technology Park. The Audubon Ballroom, where Malcom X was killed in 1965, is situated within the Park. Dr. Shabazz requested that the University develop a living memorial to her late husband. The University responded by creating the Malcolm X Medical Scholarships for minority medical students enrolled at Columbia. More than 20 students who are dedicated to providing medical service in minority and underserved communities have been Malcolm X scholars. They are now serving in fields as diverse as anesthesiology, obstetrics & gynecology, orthopedic surgery, pediatrics, and medicine. The scholarship helps pay tuition and living expenses and is supported through endowed funds of Columbia University.

Since 1991, Dr. Shabazz had been a member of the Columbia-Presbyterian Health Sciences Advisory Council. The 73-member council is a distinguished and diverse group of leaders from the worlds of business, education, research, and philanthropy, who advise the University and the medical center on matters of health care, medical research, and education. Dr. Shabazz had been an active participant in advisory council meetings, most recently in April 1997.

In a statement released by Columbia University after Dr. Shabazz’s death, Dr. George Rupp, President of Columbia stated that, “We are privileged to have known and worked with Dr. Shabazz. We have all benefited from her contributions to our medical center campus. The Malcolm X Medical Scholarship will be a tribute going forward to the spirit of her husband and to Betty herself. She was a true friend who will be deeply missed.”

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